Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3065

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual reference 3065, a quintessential “Bubbleback,” holds a significant place in Rolex’s history, with production spanning from approximately 1939 to 1950. Its historical context is firmly set in the era when Rolex was solidifying its reputation for creating robust, self-winding, and waterproof timepieces. The defining characteristic of the 3065, and all Bubblebacks, is its deeply domed case back, an engineering necessity to house the early “Perpetual” automatic winding rotor. This reference is particularly distinguished by its “Rigid Hooded” lugs, an elegant and sought-after design feature that integrates the lugs more seamlessly with the case. The reference 3065 was offered in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, 18k rose gold, 18k yellow gold, and two-tone (Rolesor) combinations of steel and gold. This variety extended to the dials as well, with known examples featuring black dials with luminous Arabic numerals, two-tone salmon sector dials, and patinated “leopard” dials. The hands were often of the “Bâton” or “Mercedes” style, filled with radium for luminosity. The significance of the 3065 lies in its embodiment of key Rolex innovations in a stylish package, making it a highly collectible and historically important vintage timepiece.